Jason: National networks need to dig deeper

By Jason Offutt

If the national news has taught me anything, it’s not to bother watching it.
From the shallow reporting of important events, to the pick-and-choose coverage (academics call it Agenda Setting. They have a term for everything), it’s no wonder 21 percent of people between 18 and 29 get their news from Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.”
Yes, national news outlets cover the big stories, probably by reading what’s trending on Twitter, but its choices for everything else contain less usable information than an episode of “The Bachelor.”
For example.
CNN: “Radio host curses out Erin Andrews.” A Boston radio personality insulted Fox Sports reporter Andrews during a recent program; one she wasn’t even on. Although I’m not sure you can curse someone out if you’re not actually speaking to them, I am sure this isn’t news.
Fox: “Danica: ‘I’m off the market’.” Danica McKellar, a 39-year-old actress who played supporting character Winnie Cooper on TV’s “The Wonder Years” (that went off the air in 1993) is engaged. Gripping.

To read the complete story, see the Aug. 4 print edition of the Richmond News.